When I started in business, many years ago, my father in-law told me this story and I have retold it many times. In fact every time I hire someone new I tell them the story. Most of these people either don’t understand or don’t listen to the advice.
Two guys started working, on the same day, at a large company. Let’s call them Pete and John.
After about five years Pete made an appointment with his boss. During the meeting he asked his boss why he was still on the same level as when he started whilst John was already in management.
Pete’s boss said that he would explain but if he would run down to the vegetable shop on the corner to find out if they had potatoes for sale.
Pete ran as quickly as he could and when he got back to the office he proudly exclaimed that they did in fact have potatoes for sale.
The boss asked how much they were so Pete hurried back to the shop and when he came back he told his boss that they had large potatoes for only $10 per bag.
The boss then asked if they don’t have smaller bags. Pete, once again, rushed back to the shop and on his return told his boss that they did in fact have smaller bags at only $7 per bag.
The boss then asked if they were washed or unwashed and after Pete went back to the shop he explained that the had both washed or unwashed available.
The boss then asked him to call John to the office.
When John arrived the boss asked him to go to the vegetable shop and find out if they had potatoes for sale.
When John arrived back his answer was:
They do have potatoes for sale, both in large and small bags at only $10 for the large ones and $7 for the smaller ones. One can also choose between washed and unwashed potatoes.
The boss then asked Pete if he now understood why John was promoted and he wasn’t.
